Temporary import of a vehicle with foreign registration plates

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It is permitted to temporarily import a vehicle with foreign registration plates into Iceland. In certain cases, import charges may be reduced or fully waived.

The vehicle may remain in Iceland for a maximum of 12 months.

Conditions

Vehicles imported by individuals

The temporary import of a vehicle for personal use (for example for work, studies, or travel) is exempt from customs duties, provided certain conditions are met. The vehicle may remain in Iceland for a maximum of 12 months; otherwise, import charges must be paid.

A vehicle in this regard is for example a car, motorcycle, camping trailer, folding camper, or caravan and other vehicles that require registration.

The person importing the vehicle

must have permanent residence abroad
must not have registered legal domicile in Iceland
must stay in Iceland while the vehicle is in the country (a stay abroad for up to 6 weeks during a 12-month period is allowed).

The vehicle

must arrive in Iceland within one month of the importer’s arrival
must not be used for commercial passenger or freight transport
is for personal use by the importer and accompanying persons who have permanent residence abroad

Rental vehicles: If the importer brings a passenger car rented from a car rental company registered in another country, the vehicle may only remain in Iceland for up to 42 days at a time and never longer than 183 days within any 12-month period.

Process of importing a vehicle on foreign registration plates

Vehicles from countries that are parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA), members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), or from the Faroe Islands have valid third-party liability insurance upon arrival in Iceland.
Vehicles from outside the EEA must be insured with an international insurance certificate (the Green Card) while the vehicle is in Iceland. The importer must present the certificate during customs clearance.

Once transport has been booked, you will receive a request to complete form E-9 (“Temporary import of a vehicle with foreign registration plates”). The declaration must be completed before the vehicle arrives in Iceland in order for it to be cleared for entry. The shipping company can assist with completing the form if needed.

The vehicle’s odometer reading must be entered on the form. A kilometer fee is then paid in accordance with the rules applicable to vehicles that are temporarily in Iceland.

Extended stay

If you wish to extend the stay of a vehicle in Iceland, you must notify Iceland Revenue and Customs.

You can send an email to E9@skatturinn.is.

If you decide to keep the vehicle in Iceland for longer than 12 months, import charges must be paid. See the instructions on importing a vehicle as part of household effects or importing a new or used vehicle.

Registration of legal domicile in Iceland

If you register legal domicile in Iceland within 12 months of arriving in the country, you must either:

complete customs clearance for the vehicle and pay the import charges, or
export the vehicle from Iceland before the domicile registration takes effect.

Process at the end of your stay in Iceland

Within 12 months, you must do one of the following:

Book transport: Book transport for the vehicle and notify the customs broker who handled the import. The broker will submit the final settlement of the customs declaration to Iceland Revenue and Customs upon departure.
Record the odometer reading and pay: You must record the vehicle’s odometer reading when leaving Iceland. This is done by reopening your E9 declaration (using the booking number from the import) and entering the reading there. The kilometer fee is then charged to a credit card.
Pay any import charges if applicable.
Deliver the vehicle to the ship.

Service provider

Skatturinn - Iceland Revenue and Customs

Related material

Kilometer fee on vehicles temporarily imported to Iceland

Temporary import of a vehicle with foreign registration plates

Conditions

Vehicles imported by individuals

The person importing the vehicle

The vehicle

Process of importing a vehicle on foreign registration plates

1. Arrange transport

2. Vehicle insurance

3. Transport vehicle to Iceland, sumbit form E9 and pay the kilometer fee

4. Bring the vehicle into the country once delivery authorization is received.

Extended stay

Registration of legal domicile in Iceland

Process at the end of your stay in Iceland

Export the vehicle

Register the vehicle in Iceland

Dispose of the vehicle

Related material